Description
This Lemony Pasta with Goat Cheese and Spinach is a bright, creamy, and nutritious dish featuring tangy goat cheese, fresh spinach, and a vibrant mix of parsley and cilantro. Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight meal, it comes together in just 20 minutes with a light lemony sauce and a crunchy walnut topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 0.75 pound spaghettini or spaghetti
- 4 ounces fresh goat cheese
- 10 ounces baby spinach (about 10 cups)
- 3 cups fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghettini or spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta completely.
- Make the goat cheese sauce: Return the pot to medium heat and whisk together the fresh goat cheese and 1 cup of the reserved pasta water, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and well blended into a creamy sauce.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked pasta back into the pot with the goat cheese sauce. Stir in the baby spinach, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, lemon zest, and lemon juice. If the sauce is too thick, add more of the reserved pasta water a little at a time until it lightly coats the pasta.
- Season and serve: Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine all flavors. Sprinkle the chopped toasted walnuts over the top just before serving to add a pleasant crunch.
Notes
- This recipe is quick and easy, ready in just 20 minutes—perfect for a fast but satisfying meal.
- The lemon zest and juice add a fresh tang that complements the creamy goat cheese beautifully.
- To toast walnuts, simply heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring often until fragrant.
- For a nuttier flavor, you can substitute walnuts with toasted pine nuts or almonds.
- This dish pairs well with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
